Customer Involvement Awards 2009

Most Improved Garden - Carla Shaw (Great Lever)

Carla won the award for the amount of time and effort that she has put into designing her garden from scratch in just under 12 months, going from a bare mud patch area. Her garden now offers a little oasis on the estate.

Best Plants in Pots - Teresa Warren (Great Lever)

Teresa spent most of the planting season collecting a variety of plants to add a little spice to the displays on her property. Neighbours have seen the effects of the work and effort put in and have been inspired to start their own garden displays.

Most Creative Project - Great Lever Youth Involvement Team (Great Lever)

This voluntary group identified a number of issues that they felt needed addressing (bullying, isolation, prejudice and fear). They have worked with Bolton Racial Equality Council to learn about these issues and their impact. From this they wrote a script and produced a film that is to be shown around the borough, which they hope will act as an inspiration to other communities to also address similar issues.

Most Innovative Project - KENSA (Westhoughton)

KENSA are a group of young mothers who formed to learn about healthy eating and cookery and they have gained accreditation. The group have secured further funding and are now holding sharing sessions where they can pass on their skills (targeting young males with depression and mental health issues in particular) on the Washacre estate.

Environmental Project of the Year - Eastfield Residents Association

Eastfield Residents Association used a simple environmental project to bring the community together. Their ‘plant a pot’ project involved local children making up plant pots that were distributed around the properties in the neighbourhood. These planters were then maintained by the children involved in the initial planting stage. Not only has it restored some of the local community spirit it has also brightened up the estate.

Inspiring the Youth of Bolton - Charlotte Williams (Deane)

Charlotte has faced many personal challenges in life and has become a valued member of the community. She's been involved in volunteering with the Wellfield Project and has become a positive role model for other youth in the area.

"I am overwhelmed, this is a big surprise but fantastic" - Charlotte Williams

Community Group of the Year - Hindley and Clough Farm Residents Association

The ethos of the group is firmly about working for the benefit of the community and fostering sustainable projects that are a benefit to local residents.
The group are overseeing street dance for young people at the weekends and salsa for adults. HACFRA are working tirelessly for their community and with partner organisations to enable them to deliver more projects during the upcoming years.

"We don’t do what we do for the recognition, we do it to make a difference and winning this will mean a lot to everyone involved in our activities" - David Thomasson, Chair of HACFRA

Good Neighbour of the Year - Pat Tickle (Tonge)

Pat was nominated for the award by her neighbours for her willingness to lend a helping hand running errands for residents and helping with other jobs. Pat has also nursed some of her neighbours through illnesses. She has been the secretary of the local residents association for the last few years. Pat has run the coffee mornings twice a week and helps run the Tuesday club at St. Osmond's.

Most Outstanding Contribution - Kate Lowe (Hall I’th Wood)

Kate has been volunteering at the Hall i’th’ Wood UCAN Centre since it opened, supporting local projects and activities. In addition to the work at the UCAN centre, Kate is an active member of the Hall i’th’ Wood Action Group that run various activities, for example litter picks, coffee mornings, car washes, gardening and local fundraising events.

Lifetime Achievement - Eunice Rowley (Farnworth)

As the Vice Chair of New Bury Residents Association and Vice Treasurer of BATRA, Eunice works hard to involve and empower customers. She provides advice and guidance to residents associations with their accounts, training and development. She also actively supports and encourages individuals to become involved in customer involvement activities and local decision making. Eunice has been involved since 1998 and over the last eleven years she has represented Bolton at Home regionally and nationally. She is the chair of Bolton at Home’s Customer Involvement Sub Group and as such is at the forefront of driving forward Customer Involvement.